The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has issued a Presidential Decree purporting to annex maritime spaces pertaining to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana under the relevant rules of International Law. Decree No. 1.787 is a flagrant violation of International Law and is inconsistent with the principle that all States should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States, large and small. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana rejects this illegality which seeks to undermine our efforts at development through the exploitation of our natural resources off-shore. Guyana will continue, undeterred, to access and develop its resources in accordance with its Constitution and laws in keeping with the principles of International Law…

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana wishes to make it pellucid that Decree No. 1.787 cannot be applicable to any part of Guyana’s territory and any attempt by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to apply that instrument in an extra-territorial manner will be vigorously resisted by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. In light of this Guyana will spare no effort in bringing to the attention of the international community this aggressive and illegal act by Venezuela.”

Brigadier Mark Phillips, chief of staff of the Guyana Defense Force, said that “…(the GDF) will not sit idly by and allow any illegal incursion of this country’s territory,” and that they’re “…ready and capable of addressing any invasion”.

What’s the central government’s doing here? More than playing a geo-political game, it’s engaged in a balancing act.

They want to present an image of patriotic strength over a problem of their own making – thanks to their deliberate inaction over the years, which our neighbors took huge advantages from it. But at the same time, they don’t want to alienate their CARICOM allies. But let’s not forget: CARICOM has already sided with the Guyanese on this matter.

Their strategy is doomed to failure. Ultimately, the government’s speech has to be matched by actions. It’s one thing to speak to two different crowds at the same time. It’s quite another to act as the defender of Venezuelan sovereignty as well as Guyana’s sugar daddy.